Fajarasia.co – The Thai government has reportedly allowed its citizens to take bank loans using durian.
The Nation reported that the Trees for Loans Policy, which allows trees to be used as bank guarantees, has shown encouraging results.
Among the trees accepted in exchange include durian, teak, tamarind, ebony, Burmese ebony, and jackfruit.
This prompted the Prime Minister of Thailand, Prayut Chan-o-cha to encourage his people to plant more of these trees.
“Policies from the Department of Business Development have been directing rural communities within the company about the benefits of planting valuable trees,” Deputy Government Spokesperson Ratchada Thanadirek said as reported by The Nation.
“Furthermore, it falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Commerce and makes more and more citizens interested in the policy,” he added.
He also explained that the tree planting scheme was part of PM Prayut’s idea to increase green areas in Thailand.
In fact, the policy also makes it easier for villagers to get loans from banks.
As of May 20, 146,000 trees had been registered as collateral for a loan of 137 million baht (approximately IDR 57.9 billion). Of these, 318 were registered with the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives for loans worth 3 million baht (Rp 1.2 billion), 23,000 trees with Krung Thai Bank for 128 million baht (Rp 54 billion) and 120,000 trees with small financial organizations for 6 million. baht (Rp 2.5 billion).
“The prime minister attaches great importance to planting valuable trees, because it will not only make the country greener, but can also be used as loan collateral,” he said.****
